Blending real objects with 3D prints

This modification to real objects begin with [Greg] taking dozens of pictures of the target object at many different angles. These pictures are then imported into Agisoft PhotoScan which takes all these photos and converts it into a very high-resolution, full-color point cloud.

After precisely measuring the real-world dimensions of the object to be modeled, [Greg] imported his point cloud into Blender and got started on the actual 3D modeling task. By reconstructing the original sandstone block in Blender, [Greg] was also able to model Lego parts.After subtracting the part of the model above the Lego parts, [Greg] had a bizarre-looking adapter that adapts Lego pieces to a real-life stone block.

It’s a very, very cool projet that demonstrates how good [Greg] is at making 3D models of real objects and modeling them inside a computer. After the break you can see a walkthrough of his work process, an impressive amount of expertise wrapped up in making the world just a little more strange.

I’ve never even heard of PhotoScan until now, and I didn’t even think it was possible to take photographs and turn them into a 3D map purely because of quality issues. I thought it could only be done with “3D scanners” such as the Kinect.

Super cool. I assume he has his parts printed by Shapeways? Owning a high-res full color printer is unlikely, and while hand painting is possible it sure looks like he’s using the textures from his models.

Also he never once used Blender in the video. He used Z-brush and 3dstudio max.

How about using it as a top banner for this website, i mean essentially this hack is awesome. Its the hack of the year.
From a hackers point of view, it shows that the world isn’t made of atoms, quarks, neutrons etc.
Its a hacking proof that the world is made from lego

Open source, we cry (rather pathetically, and with little hope of an answer). Building the rock around the lego is the way to go monetarily, sadly. Software =$200, 3D print maybe $50, tools to cut the sandstone about $150. Compared with lego (free-ish from bleating kids) and some sand and cement (“borrowed” from a building site)